More Than a Game Magazine Issue 7

Note from the
editor
Like us on Facebook ‘More Than
a Game Magazine’ and follow us
on twitter @morethanamag15
It has been a fantastic month of
sport in June and July looks set to
be another great month. In this
issue we have been lucky enough to
speak with 4 time world champion
of Surfski Dawid Mocke. He tells
us about his experiences in this
unusual sport and his journey.
We play the number game with the
historic Wimbledon as well as part
2 of the loosen up article by our
resident Tennis coach Leon.
Also included is a round up of all
the GB Hockey that has taken place
including GB Women’s fantastic
win in the world league.
We speak with GB and Wimbledon
player Michael Hoare about beating
world champs as well as the GB
fixtures ahead.
At More Than a Game Magazine
we are always looking to feature
new sports. We like to learn about
these unusual sports and provide a
platform for them. If you take part
in a sport which doesn’t get much
media attention; please get in touch
and we would be happy to work
with you!
Be sure to like us on Facebook
‘More Than a Game Magazine’ and
follow us on Twitter
@morethanamag15.
1

In this issue
Wimbledon – We play the number
game with the historic Tennis Grand
slam as the tournament approaches. Pg 4
Loosen up part 2! – We have the 2 nd
of a 3 part article written by a resident
Tennis coach Leon. If you haven’t yet,
read part 1 in issue 6 to catch up! Pg 6
Dawid Mocke 4 time world
champion – We chat with the Surfski
4 time world champion about the sport
as well as his experiences winning his
world titles. Pg 8
2

GB Hockey – We catch up with the
latest GB Hockey results for both the men
and women teams throughout their World
League campaigns. We also speak with
Michael Hoare and Sam Ward. Pg 11
Book recommendation – This
months book recommendation is Tennis
legend Andre Agassi’s “Open”. Pg 21
3

Wimbledon – We play the
number game
1 – Centre court. It is every
Tennis players dream to make it
onto the legendary centre court.
The court has seen the likes of
Sampras and Agassi battle it out in
1999; Federer and Nadal classic in
2008 and more recently seeing
British Andy Murray ending the 77
year wait for a British player
winning Wimbledon. Naturally this
sounds great so why not get a
ticket? It has been rumoured that
a seat for the final at Wimbledon
will cost a staggering £2,667.00!
230,000 – Amount of glasses
of Pimms served throughout the 2
weeks of Wimbledon.
7- 3 players are tied with 7 titles;
Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and
William Renshaw (pre 1900)
10,000,000,000 – Peak
viewer’s watched Novak Djokovic
beat Roger Federer in last year’s final.
4

665- Minutes is the longest
Wimbledon game to date. The
game was between American John
Isner and French Nicholas Mahut.
The game was spread out over 3
days and was eventually won by
Isner with 183 games played.
12,000 – Is the amount in
pounds that some houses are to
rent in the area for the tournament.
212 – Is the most aces ever by a
player at a Wimbledon tournament.
That player is….. Goran Ivanisevic
in 2012!
10- The amount of Wimbledon
women’s titles the Williams sisters
have won between them (5 each).
They have competed in 4 finals
against each other to, Serena
winning 3 of them.
660 – Is the amount of
matches played over the 2 weeks of
Wimbledon. That is 48 per DAY
350 – is the amount of officials
at Wimbledon for the duration of
the tournament.
5

Loosen up- Part 2
of a 3 part article!
Be sure to ‘LIKE’ 1 st Service Tennis Academy on Facebook!
There’s not a great deal of
difference between any of the
guys in the top 100 when it comes
to ball striking. The big difference
is the very best players find that
ability to remain loose on the big
points. The best example I can
think of over the last few years is
Novak Djokovic. He’s played
some of his most impressive
tennis on the big, big points. The
two occasions that stand out to
me are the 2010 and 2011 US
Open semi-finals where both
times he saved two match points
against Federer with fearless,
loose aggressive tennis.
We’ve established why we want to be
loose and what causes tightening up,
so how can we get looser? For me
the two most important factors in
staying loose are confidence and
concentrating on the process or
another way of putting it, staying in
the moment. *
Tests have shown that when you give
a task to girls, they will tend to
concentrate on the process resulting
in more chance of success whereas
boys tend to think about the
outcome, harming their chances of
success.
6

Confidence isn’t something you can
just turn on like a switch; it is
something that needs to be worked
on and comes from preparation. The
ability to concentrate on the process,
shutting out any thoughts of the
outcome and self-belief come from
good preparation.
Sabine Lisicki
in action in
Thailand.
There are little things you can work
on to help you ‘loosen up’. Some of
the things you will see the pros do.
Remember, like I said, it is normal to
tighten up. Everyone has done it,
even the top players. They can at
times find a way to stay loose at the
big moment, like I mentioned with
Djokovic earlier but there will also
be times when they tighten up like
the rest of us.
Tightening up can affect you in
different ways. Gripping the racket
too tight causing the swing to slow
down, reactions slowing down, feet
stop moving, etc.. It happens in other
sports as well. A well known example
of this which has its own name is
Dartisis, which is when a dart player
cannot release a dart through
tightening up.
Some of the little things you see the
top players do include taking deep
breaths, shaking out the muscles,
bouncing up and down and
occasionally smiling. It is proven that
our brains associate smiling with
happy thoughts and therefore a smile
will help de-stress at moments when
you feel your muscles tensing up.
Visualising is another tool that can
help. As we established earlier, it is
negative feelings such as fear, nerves,
worrying what others think that all
lead to tightness. Staying in the
moment, remaining positive,
visualising and recalling moments in
the past when you have remained
loose and succeeded will improve
your chances of staying loose.
7

Dawid Mocke – 4 time World
Surfski Champion!!
More Than a Game Magazine
spoke with 4 time Surfski world
champion Dawid Mocke about the
ins and outs of Surfski. Dawid, with
his wife Nikki are founders of
Mocke Paddling. Mocke Paddling
was created to give everyone an
opportunity to learn about ocean
paddling.
For those who haven’t heard of
surf skiing, could you give us
some background behind it?
Surfski paddling is a kayaking type
paddle sport. You use a double
sided paddle and face forwards (not
backwards like rowers). Surfski
paddling originated from surf
lifesaving where lifesavers used a
kayak type craft to paddle through
the waves to rescue swimmers in
difficulty. As lifeguards began to
compete to see who was the fittest,
fastest and most skilled, Surfski
paddling began to take on a life of
its own.
Because it’s fast and exciting, soon
there were longer distance races
being organised while more and
more people joined the
sport. Today it is a paddle sport
that has grown to any bit of open
water that one can find.
Ultimately Surfski paddling is about
getting out into open water; (ideally
the ocean) and riding big wind
driven swells at speeds that exceed
what even an Olympic Sprint
Kayaker could dream of.
8

It’s fast and exhilarating and gets
you high on adrenaline. The beauty
of Surfski paddling is that it is
completely limitless and can be
practiced in any water and any
conditions; and with the wide
variety of craft available – from
super stable to super competitive –
you can be as extreme or benign as
you want to be. There is no other
water sport that can offer this kind
of flexibility.
Can you believe it 2 days before the
race my appendix burst and I was in
hospital for a week. I had to watch
the race on computer screen. That
was much tougher than winning the
2012 title!
You are also very busy when you
aren’t surf skiing with your
business ‘Mocke Paddling’ along
with your wife Nikki. How much
do you enjoy playing the mentor
role?
You have won the world
champion 4 times in your career,
which one was the toughest?
My 2012 title was definitely the
toughest one to win. In the
previous three titles I managed to
win at least 4 or 5 of the Series
races, but in 2012 I only won 1 race
and had to fight hard for every
single podium I could get. It was a
very close year. The World Series
took a break in 2013 so that the
International Canoe Federation
could host an inaugural, once off,
World Championship.
For me mentoring is far more
exhilarating than racing. My wife
Nikki and I have a deep passion and
desire to see people become the
best that they can be. We want to
inspire and help people perform to
their best in paddling, and in life
too. While Surfski paddling is the
conduit to do that; I will take any
opportunity to use my success in
the Cinderella sport of Surfski to
motivate people. Hosting
inspirational talks is something I
love to do as well. Mocke Paddling
is also not just about teaching
people how to paddle, or about
inspiring them to be better, but we
also have a passion to make great
core paddling apparel and
accessories, for safety and racing.
9

Dawid and Nikki host several events
throughout the year in hometown
Fish Hoek. For more updates check
out www.mockepaddling.com.
What advice would you give
people who are looking to give
this sport a go?
Do you take part in any different
water sports? Get in touch via our
website
www.morethanagamemagazine.co.uk.
Travel to Fish Hoek, Cape town
and join us at one of our
Greenhorn Camps at our Surfski
school! You can have a paddling
holiday! You can also get a book
and learn to paddle DVD from us
off the website or can download a
complimentary Ocean ABC
booklet. But if it’s a bit too far then
I am sure you will be able to find a
paddling retailer nearby that has
Surfskis on offer. The biggest
brands are Fenn, Epic, Think,
Carbonology, Nordic Sport, Stellar
and Nelo. If you Google any of
these I am sure you will find
someone nearby that does at least
one of these brands and will be
more than happy to help you try.
10

Records fell – the first time since 1988
that GB or England win against
Australia.
Brogdon, off the back of a playoff
win with Wimbledon kept up his
impressive goal scoring record for
GB. Ashely Jackson impressed in the
middle of the pitch with some great
interceptions. It was Jacksons 200 th
cap for GB and England combined
so it was a special afternoon the
Holcombe player.
Team GB took on reigning world
champions Australia over 2 ‘test’
games in preparation for the Euro
League in Belgium. It was the first
time since 1988 that team GB or
England had beaten the Aussies so
it was a special afternoon for the
team and fans.
Australia had the usual high calibre
of players such as current world
player of the year Mark Knowles as
well as 5 time winner Jamie Dwyer.
It was GB that struck first with a
great flick by Sam Ward which was
his first for team GB. Jamie Dwyer
showed great composure to get the
Aussies level in the 2 nd quarter.
After some encouraging play by
GB, much to the delight to the
packed out crowd Brogdon struck
to put GB back in the lead.
Fellow Holcombe player Iain Lewers
took some headlines with a wellplaced
finish for a tight angle to make
it 3 – 1 to GB.
11

The joy was short lived for team GB
as Australia won the return leg 6 -1 at
Bisham Abbey 3 days later. Australia’s
Chris Ciriello stole the show with 2
goals; as well as Simon Orchard 24,
Blake Govers, Jamie Dwyer 43 and
Aran Zalewski 54 making it a rout for
the Aussies. Chris Griffiths got the
only GB goal. Coach Bobby Clutchley
wasn’t happy with the turnaround,
claiming inconsistency let them down.
Saturday 20th June
GB 2 – 2 Belgium
Team GB battled hard for a draw
against hosts in the first game of the
World League semi-final. Belgium took
the lead within 19 minutes through
John-John Dohmen after a deflected
shot gave the GB stopper Pineer no
chance. After a clever penalty from
Ashley Jackson which set up Lewers,
who calmly played in captain Barry
Middleton to get GB back in the game.
12

GB then silenced the home crowd
when they took the lead 9 minutes
later. Sharp shooter Alastair Brogdon
scored from a tight angle after some
great play on the wing.
Unfortunately GB were unable hold
onto the lead. Belgium scored through
Sebastien Dockier to level the game
up 2 -2. Both teams made late pushes
to win, both missing good penalty
chances.
Tuesday 23 rd June
GB 2 – 2 Ireland
GB took on Ireland in their 2 nd game
of the World League. GB were held to
a 2 -2 draw with neighbours Ireland in
Anterp. GB stormed ahead with 2
goals in the opening 7 minutes.
Captain Barry Middleton got his
second of the tournament; after a long
ball and Ireland failing to clear their
lines and Middleton finished well.
Griffiths doubled the league two
minutes later, after some superb play
by Gleghorne who put some great
work on the right hand side. He fired
the ball into the middle which was met
by Griffiths.
Chris Griffiths celebrates scoring GB’s second of
the game.
13

Ireland upped their game in the 2 nd
quarter, when they halved the
deficit on the 19 th minute. Some
great build up by the Irish was
finished off by Kyle Goode with a
deft touch. Ireland were putting GB
under a lot of pressure, GB keeper
George Pinner done well to prevent
Eugene Magee who unleased a
stinging shot. Ireland levelled the
game on the 36 minutes after
Jackson stabbed in his own
deflection after Pinner saved his
original effort. GB looked the more
likely to win the game after
Brogdon had his effort saved in the
final few minutes.
Ashley Jackson tries to claw the lead back for
GB.
Thursday 25 th June
GB 8-1 China
Mark Gleghorne got 2 of the 8 goals against
China.
GB got their first win of the
tournament in spectacular fashion
when they demolished China 8 -1.
Nick Catlin scored within 5 minutes
after clever play by Ashley Jackson.
GB doubled their league when
captain Middleton’s shot was
deflected in by Ward. In the 2 nd
quarter GB ran riot with 3 goals in
15 minutes, Gleghorne with 2 and
Jackson with the other. China did
get one goal between the run, when
Li scored on the 26 th minute.
14

GB added 3 goals in the final quarter,
Brogdon added the 5 th goal then Ward
got his second of the game just 1
minute later. Catlin finished off the
rout with the final goal.
While the men are still playing in the
World League, the ladies are all done
and dusted. This is how they got on..
10 th June – V Spain in Betero, Spain
In their first game GB beat hosts
Spain 2- 0. Alex Danson with the
penalty stroke and Joie Leigh scoring
the second.
13 th June – V Argentina in Betero,
Spain
GB keep their 2 nd clean sheet of the
world league in their 2 – 0 win over
Argentina. Sophie Bray got her first
for the tournament as well as Hannah
Macleod opening her account. It was
their first win against Argentina since
1996. GB with the perfect start to the
World League.
15

14 th June – V Canada in Betero,
Spain
GB continued their impressive form
with a 4 – 2 win over Canada. Sophie
Bray scored twice from penalty
corners and Alex Danson got her
second of the tournament Georgie
Twigg added the fourth. Canada’s
scorers were Stephanie Norlander and
Brienne Stairs.
16 th June – V China in Betero, Spain
Sophie Bray was the hero with 2 goals
to give GB 4 wins out of 4 in the
group stage. Scoring in the first 5
minutes, China couldn’t get into GBs
half. The lead was doubled on the 57
minute. GB finished the group stage
with an impressive record of 10 goals
in 4 games.
16

18 th June – Quarter final v South
Africa in Bereto, Spain.
GB saw off South Africa in the first
knock out stage of the World League.
It was regular scorer Alex Danson
who opened up the scoring in the
first quarter. Kate Walsh Richardson
chose a good time to score her 1 st of
the tournament to make it 2 – 0 from
a penalty goal.
20 th June – Semi final v Germany in
Bereto, Spain.
GB confirmed their place in the Rio
2016 mix with a hard fought 1 -0 win
over Germany. It was an early goal by
Lily Owsley in the 7 th minute which
gave them the win. It was a nervy end
for GB but they dug in and won their
6th game and their 100% record.
17

21 st June – Final v China in Bereto,
Spain.
GB took on China in the final. After
beating China 2 – 0 in the group
stages, GB were favourites going into
this one. It took time but GB
managed to take the lead, when Hollie
Webb scored her first of the
tournament. Alex Danson doubled
the lead 10 minutes later with her 4 th
of the World League.
GB saw the game out and made it 7
wins out of 7 with a fantastic result.
Danny Kerry was ecstatic with the
way his team played throughout the
whole tournament. GB will be
looking forward to Rio next year to
carry on this fine tournament form.
All photos were provided by the England Hockey Media
team.
18

We spoke with GB and
Wimbledon star Michael
Hoare and Sam Ward
Great win today against current
world champs Australia. How do you
feel it went?
Yeah really pleased to get the victory, it’s
always nice to win in front of a home
crowd. Last time we had a big crowd, we
lost to Germany in a really tight game. I
still think there is a lot we can do to
improve, which is the exciting thing.
Even when you do win, it is important
to keep looking forward. We are
certainly heading in the right direction
though.
The dust has settled on the playoff
win for your team Wimbledon.
Looking back; how much of a
success was that for you guys?
This season has been brilliant! We knew
we had a good chance going into the
finals, as we beaten every single team
and beaten them quite comfortably. It
was the away games we actually beat
them, it was just at home we didn’t put
the performances in. We had a few
sessions here, like a few of the teams.
We got used to the pitch, we felt
really confident going into the
games. It was 2 completely different
games; one really tight game with
Surbiton where we defended really
well and won 2- 0. In the next
game, it was basically who could
score the most and we went for it.
We knew we were good enough at
the back and with our frontline we
knew we could score. It was a
fantastic achievement and is great
for the club. It was only our second
year in the premier league, so to go
and win the title and get a place in
Europe is fantastic.
19

Looking to next season, there
looks like there will be a different
dynamic with Holcombe entering
the league. They have signed up
Sam (Ward) and Ashley (Jackson)
for the year. What do you make of
the Holcombe situation?
I think it is good for the league. Clubs
like Holcombe and Wimbledon have
been supporting players in different
ways. The players like the professional
set up of it. I think a lot of clubs are
following suit as they reliese that’s
what they need to do. It’s the way it is
going for Hockey, if clubs want to be
in the finals that is. It started this way
for other sports such as Rugby Union
and Rugby League a while ago.
Hockey is slowly becoming bigger
and better; us GB players need to
make sure we are doing our bit on the
international stage too.
We also caught up with Holcombe
new boy Sam Ward.
I stuck my stick out and luckily it
went in.
Unlucky with that one off the
post to, wasn’t you?
Yeah, to be honest I should have
passed that one to one of my team
mates!
You are looking like you have
lost a lot of weight too?
I have lost over a stone in the last 6
months. It has been a big change
for me. Instead of looking like I
play a bit of Hockey, to actually
looking like an athlete. It makes a
big difference for me out there too.
After my injury in India, I spent 3
months running to get fit.
Does it feel much different on
the pitch?
Another goal, that was a sweet one
wasn’t it? How many is that for
you then?
Yeah definitely, it is 4 in 10 for me
now. I was delighted with that one as
I didn’t think I committed enough.
Yes definitely. I can do things now
which I couldn’t do before. I can
actually lead and get in front of
people now. Before I could only
really do it in short bursts.
20

MTAG BOOK
RECOMMENDATION – OPEN
BY ANDRE AGASSI
This issues book recommendation
we keep with this month’s Tennis
theme and recommend Andre
Agassi’s autobiography “Open”.
Agassi is a former world number 1
and won 8 grand slams as well as an
Olympic Gold medal over his
decorated career. Normally in a
professional sports persons
autobiography it starts with an
obsessive surge to make their
dreams a reality.
It doesn’t quite work out that way
for Agassi, as he goes into depth
about his fathers obsession with
making him one of the greats.
Agassi tells readers about the
constant training he was put
through, including his father
regularly making him skip school to
train. Growing up Tennis was all he
knew after having the sport forced
upon up since before he could
remember.
He became confused about what he
wanted and who he was. Threatening
to leave the game on a number of
occasions; including a breakdown
when he was 13 at a Florida Tennis
camp Agassi stuck to Tennis.
The 2010 British Sport book winner is
well worth a read for all sports fans.
Open is a great insight into the other
side of Tennis and the mental strength
required to play the sport. He goes
into detail about meeting Steffi Graf
and his much publicised marriage to
her. He also talks about his epic
battles with Pete Sampras and a
controversial revelation about drug
use.
21

If you enjoyed this issue you will love our
others too..
All our issues are available to read online at our website
www.morethanagamemagazine.co.uk
Subscribe to More Than a Game Magazine at the website!
22